By Jay Bucci, Sports Editor
Sports fans, and fans of the comical commercials, across the world tuned in on February 1st for the biggest sports event of the year, the Super Bowl. The New England Patriots, having received criticism from people from all corners of the Earth for the scandal regarding the deflated footballs, proved their dominance in a 28-24 win over last year’s champions, the Seattle Seahawks. But was it New England’s dominance that earned them the victory, or Seattle’s poor play calling?
Other than Katy Perry’s ride on possibly the most exotic mechanical tiger in history, everyone is talking about Seattle’s decision to throw the ball on 2nd and goal from the one-yard line with 20 seconds left in the game. Critics, such as Chris Chase, who wrote an article describing his frustration with the play call, went as far as saying that the decision to throw was the “worst play call in NFL history.”
It is safe to say that everyone was expecting Marshawn Lynch to pry his way into the end zone to make Seattle back-to-back Super Bowl champions. But instead, Russell Wilson lined up in shotgun and attempted to hit Ricardo Lockette, who ran a short slant pattern. He found the hands of New England’s Malcolm Butler, not Lockette. And just like that, New England ended their Super Bowl losing streak, and Seattle fans around the world leaped out of their couches, and waved their chicken wing-stained hands in frustration.
The world exploded after that play call, almost forgetting that there were countless other plays that made the game special, like Jermaine Kearse’s unbelievable catch that put the Seahawks in the red zone with time running down. But, nonetheless, sports reporters and fans alike put their focus on the play call that ultimately decided the game. Even NBC’s Cris Collinsworth was caught saying “I’m sitting here and I absolutely cannot believe that play call. If I lose the Super Bowl because Marshawn Lynch can’t get it in from the one-yard line, so be it. So be it. But there is no way—I just don’t believe the call.” Not that the public’s focus is misplaced, but the game was more than just one play, and more than just one mistake.
Now that Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have their fourth Super Bowl under their belts, conversation about them being the greatest coach and quarterback combination in history isn’t far-fetched.
Seattle, however, goes home with dreams of back-to-back Super Bowl wins in the past. They join the past nine Super Bowl winners as one-time champions.
Now, a few weeks after the dramatic ending of the game, talk has quieted, but the game has not been forgotten. It is likely that this Super Bowl, especially the play call at the end, will be remembered for years to come.